Henry Winter has finally spoken about West Brom’s biggest quality that’s largely unknown outside of the Black Country
West Brom haven’t had much success this season, but Eric Ramsay has the chance to get the Baggies sustainable again.
Shilen Patel has been battling Profit and Sustainability Rules ever since he came to The Hawthorns, and so far, he’s doing a good job of balancing the books.
Ramsay is aware that business will be hard to come by in the winter market, but the Baggies boss is expected to have at least two new signings come the end of the window, with Danny Imray next up.
However, Ramsay has the blessing of West Brom’s impressive academy, which has time and time again proved to be one of the Albion’s best internal assets.
If West Brom‘s current trend continues, the Baggies could be set for even more relief on the PSR front.
Henry Winter praises West Brom’s academy amid new developments
There have been patterns in the Black Country over the years, as Aston Villa like to regularly swoop in for Albion’s young gems.
Even the likes of Rekeem Harper, who was once highly-rated at The Hawthorns, had a stint with Birmingham City.
Morgan Rogers came through West Brom’s academy system before moving on to become an England starter with Aston Villa. But he is just one player from a long list of successes that have come from Albion’s youth setup.
Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba was snatched up by Villa from Albion in 2023, and the teenager scored his first professional goal for the Villans in their 3-2 comeback win over RB Salzburg on Thursday.
Commenting on X, well-known journalist and broadcaster Henry Winter has been quick to highlight that West Brom’s setup at the Fitlife Foods Performance Centre is what deserves credit.
Winter wrote: “So many talents nurtured by West Bromwich Albion. So many clubs benefit from their work. Aston Villa’s Rogers and Jimoh-Aloba started in West Brom’s academy.
“So did Louie Barry, Tim Iroegbunam, Finn Azaz, Chris Wood, Sam Field, Tom Fellows, and Dara O’Shea, who all benefited from the hard work of coaches at West Brom’s academy. The list goes on. Such expert development work deserves proper appreciation and reward.”
Baggies fans have felt rather aggrieved at some of the sales, with Tom Fellows’ summer move to Southampton one that pulled on the heartstrings of supporters.
However, it may all be currently what’s needed for Patel to get West Brom back pushing for promotion.
Which West Brom youngsters could get loan exits in next few days?
There is an importance for the Baggies to make a profit through some of their youth sales, but Ramsay will surely look for some of them to have an impact for his own side in the long-term future.
Rio Parmar has been performing very well for both West Brom’s U21s and U18s sides this campaign, and could have a loan exit sanctioned before the end of the window.
The transfer deadline is 7 pm on Monday for West Brom to complete their business, as Parmar may just be one of several youngsters who are allowed to leave on loan until the end of the season.
Exciting winger Torin Ntege could be ready for a step into senior action, with Oli Bostock also in need of first-team minutes.
Time will tell, but Albion’s youth academy looks set to keep on producing future stars.
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